ITC 4313, IT Ethics and Professionalism Course Syllabus Course Description Educates existing and future business managers and IT professionals on the tremendous impact ethical issues have on the use of information technology (IT) in the modern business world. This course includes studies of professional codes of ethical conduct, philosophy of ethics, risk analysis, liability, responsibility, security, privacy, intellectual property, the Internet, and various laws that affect an information technology infrastructure. Course Textbook Reynolds, G. W. (2015). Ethics in information technology (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning. Course Learning Outcomes Upon completion of this course, students should be able to: 1. Describe the systems of ethics related to computing technology. 2. Examine the impact freedom of speech has on computing technology. 3. Apply ethical considerations to IT scenarios. 4. Identify privacy related issues that arise in the application of computing technology. 5. Analyze intellectual property rights related to computing, software engineering, and data communications issues. Credits Upon completion of this course, the students will earn three (3) hours of college credit. Course Structure 1. Study Guide: Each unit contains a Study Guide that provides students with the learning outcomes, unit lesson, required reading assignments, and supplemental resources. 2. Learning Outcomes: Each unit contains Learning Outcomes that specify the measurable skills and knowledge students should gain upon completion of the unit. 3. Unit Lesson: Each unit contains a Unit Lesson, which discusses lesson material. 4. Reading Assignments: Units I-VII contain Reading Assignments from one or more chapters from the textbook and/or outside resources. 5. Discussion Boards: Discussion Boards are part of all CSU term courses. More information and specifications can be found in the Student Resources link listed in the Course Menu bar. 6. Unit Assignments: Students are required to submit for grading Unit Assignments in Units I-VIII. Specific information and instructions regarding these assignments are provided below. Grading rubrics are included with each assignment. Specific information about accessing these rubrics is provided below. 7. Ask the Professor: This communication forum provides you with an opportunity to ask your professor general or course content related questions. 8. Student Break Room: This communication forum allows for casual conversation with your classmates. ITC 4313, IT Ethics and Professionalism 1
CSU Online Library The CSU Online Library is available to support your courses and programs. The online library includes databases, journals, e-books, and research guides. These resources are always accessible and can be reached through the library webpage. To access the library, log into the mycsu Student Portal, and click on CSU Online Library. You can also access the CSU Online Library from the My Library button on the course menu for each course in Blackboard. The CSU Online Library offers several reference services. E-mail (library@columbiasouthern.edu) and telephone (1.877.268.8046) assistance is available Monday Thursday from 8 am to 5 pm and Friday from 8 am to 3 pm. The library s chat reference service, Ask a Librarian, is available 24/7; look for the chat box on the online library page. Librarians can help you develop your research plan or assist you in finding relevant, appropriate, and timely information. Reference requests can include customized keyword search strategies, links to articles, database help, and other services. Unit Assignments Unit I Assignment Part 1: Scenario #4 The purpose of this exercise is for you to practice applying the skill of integrating ethics into the decision-making process. On page 30 of the textbook, review #4 in the What Would You Do? section, and describe how you would handle the situation. Outline your response by using the five-step decision-making process as described in Chapter 1. Use your critical-thinking skills, and compose your response in your own words. Your response to Part 1 should be at least one page. Part 2: Case #3: Is There a Place for Ethics in IT? The purpose of this exercise is for you to identify how an ethical school of thought relates to an IT scenario. Analyze Case #3 that begins on page 34 of the textbook, and answer the discussion questions that follow the case. In addition to answering the discussion questions, briefly identify the major ethical schools of thought (or approaches) discussed in this unit (see page 22 in the textbook). Next, identify which one you prefer. Additionally, identify which school of thought you used in answering each of the discussion questions. Your response to Part 2 should be at least one page. Be sure to use your critical-thinking skills and your own words to answer each question. Unit II Assignment Part 1: Scenario #3 The purpose of this exercise is for you to practice describing ethical systems as they apply within an IT setting. On page 71 of the textbook, review #3 in the What would you do? section. Then, explain what you would do. Be sure to refer to the ethical approach(s) that led you do this conclusion (see page 22 in the textbook). Your response to Part 1 should be at least one page. Part 2: Case #3: When Certification Is Justified The purpose of this exercise is for you to think critically about the ethics and accountability that certifications provide within the IT industry. Analyze Case #3 that begins on page 75 of the textbook, and answer the three discussion questions. Also, respond to the following additional questions: Do you plan to become certified in your IT career? If so, why? What do you hope to achieve? If not, why did you decide against it? Your response to Part 2 should be at least one page. ITC 4313, IT Ethics and Professionalism 2
Unit III Assignment Part 1: Scenario #2 The purpose of this exercise is to practice integrating ethics into the decision-making process by addressing internet crime. On page 119 of the textbook, review scenario #2. Describe how you would handle this scenario using the five-step decision-making process provided in the textbook. Your response to Part 1 should be at least one page. Part 2: Case #2 Anonymous and Social Hacktivism The purpose of this exercise is to think critically about ethical considerations for an IT-related scenario. On page 121 of the textbook, analyze Case #2. Answer the discussion questions that follow the case, and reference the specific ethical approaches (see page 22 in the textbook) that inform your answers. Your response to Part 2 should be at least one page. Unit IV Assignment Part 1: Scenario #3 The purpose of this exercise is to practice thinking critically about privacy-related issues. On page 166 of the textbook, review scenario #3. Describe how you would handle this scenario using the five-step decision-making process provided in the textbook. Your response to Part 1 should be at least one page. Part 2: Case #3: Facebook, Freedom of Speech, Defamation, and Cyberbullying The purpose of this exercise is to practice thinking critically about how technology has impacted freedom of speech. On page 208 of the textbook, analyze Case #3. Answer the discussion questions that follow the case. Be sure to reference the specific ethical approaches (see page 22 in the textbook) that inform your answers. Your response to Part 2 should be at least one page. Unit V Assignment Part 1: Scenario #7 The purpose of this exercise is to practice making management decisions that involve intellectual property. On page 250 of the textbook, review scenario #7. Describe how you would handle this scenario using the five-step decision-making process provided in the textbook. Your response to Part 1 should be at least one page. Part 2: Case #2: Apple Guidelines for App Approval The purpose of this exercise is for you to think critically about the ethical considerations for controlling and distributing various types of software. On page 289 of the textbook, analyze Case #2. Answer the discussion questions that follow the case. Be sure to reference the specific ethical approaches (see page 22 in the textbook) that inform your answers. Your response to Part 2 should be at least one page. ITC 4313, IT Ethics and Professionalism 3
Unit VI Assignment Part 1: Scenario #3 The purpose of this exercise is to evaluate the impact technology has on the quality of life. On page 323 of the textbook, review scenario #3. Describe how you would handle this scenario using the five-step decision-making process provided in the textbook. Your response to Part 1 should be at least one page. Part 2: Case #1: Is the Tide Turning on Telework? The purpose of this exercise to evaluate the productivity of telework. Analyze Case #1 on page 324 of the textbook. Answer the discussion questions that follow the case. Be sure to reference the specific ethical approaches (see page 22 in the textbook) that inform your answers. Your response to Part 2 should be at least one page. Unit VII Assignment Part 1: Scenario #1 The purpose of this exercise is to think critically about the effects of social media on a professional life. On page 357 of the textbook, review scenario #1. Describe how you would handle this scenario using the five-step decision-making process provided in the text. Your response to Part 1 should be at least one page. Part 2: Case #3: Facebook Raises Privacy Issues The purpose of this exercise is to determine the ethical implications of marketing efforts via social media. On page 361 of the textbook, analyze Case #3. Answer the end-of-case questions, and reference the specific ethical approaches that inform your answer (see page 22 in the textbook). Your response to Part 2 should be at least one page. both Parts 1 and 2 to one document file and submit it in Blackboard for grading. Unit VIII Assignment Part 1: What would you do? Assume that you were asked to do something or take some course of action within your company that you felt did not align with your professional code of ethics for your field. Assume further that you explained this to your boss, and your boss did not agree with your interpretation of the code. Describe how you would handle this scenario using the five-step decision-making process provided in the textbook. Your response to Part 1 should be at least one page. Part 2: Code Analysis Use the online library or the Internet to search for an example of a professional code of ethics for a professional field outside of information technology. Compare and contrast this code with a code for information technology. Identify the strengths and weaknesses of the code designed for a field other than information technology, Be sure to reference the specific ethical approaches (see page 22 in the textbook) that inform your answer. Your response to Part 2 should be at least one page. Use at least one source from the CSU Online Library to support your response. All sources used, including the textbook, must be referenced; paraphrased and quoted material must have accompanying citations. ITC 4313, IT Ethics and Professionalism 4
Use Times New Roman, 12-point font, and double-spacing to format your assignment. A title page is not required; however, please be sure to include a references page. Save Parts 1 and 2 to one document file and submit it in Blackboard for grading. APA Guidelines The application of the APA writing style shall be practical, functional, and appropriate to each academic level, with the primary purpose being the documentation (citation) of sources. CSU requires that students use APA style for certain papers and projects. Students should always carefully read and follow assignment directions and review the associated grading rubric when available. Students can find CSU s Citation Guide by clicking here. This document includes examples and sample papers and provides information on how to contact the CSU Success Center. Grading Rubrics This course utilizes analytic grading rubrics as tools for your professor in assigning grades for all learning activities. Each rubric serves as a guide that communicates the expectations of the learning activity and describes the criteria for each level of achievement. In addition, a rubric is a reference tool that lists evaluation criteria and can help you organize your efforts to meet the requirements of that learning activity. It is imperative for you to familiarize yourself with these rubrics because these are the primary tools your professor uses for assessing learning activities. Rubric categories include: (1) Discussion Board, (2) Assessment (Written Response), and (3) Assignment. However, it is possible that not all of the listed rubric types will be used in a single course (e.g., some courses may not have Assessments). The Discussion Board rubric can be found within Unit I s Discussion Board submission instructions. The Assessment (Written Response) rubric can be found embedded in a link within the directions for each Unit Assessment. However, these rubrics will only be used when written-response questions appear within the Assessment. Each Assignment type (e.g., article critique, case study, research paper) will have its own rubric. The Assignment rubrics are built into Blackboard, allowing students to review them prior to beginning the Assignment and again once the Assignment has been scored. This rubric can be accessed via the Assignment link located within the unit where it is to be submitted. Students may also access the rubric through the course menu by selecting Tools and then My Grades. Again, it is vitally important for you to become familiar with these rubrics because their application to your Discussion Boards, Assessments, and Assignments is the method by which your instructor assigns all grades. Communication Forums These are non-graded discussion forums that allow you to communicate with your professor and other students. Participation in these discussion forums is encouraged, but not required. You can access these forums with the buttons in the Course Menu. Instructions for subscribing/unsubscribing to these forums are provided below. Click here for instructions on how to subscribe/unsubscribe and post to the Communication Forums. Ask the Professor This communication forum provides you with an opportunity to ask your professor general or course content questions. Questions may focus on Blackboard locations of online course components, textbook or course content elaboration, additional guidance on assessment requirements, or general advice from other students. Questions that are specific in nature, such as inquiries regarding assessment/assignment grades or personal accommodation requests, are NOT to be posted on this forum. If you have questions, comments, or concerns of a non- ITC 4313, IT Ethics and Professionalism 5
public nature, please feel free to email your professor. Responses to your post will be addressed or emailed by the professor within 48 hours. Before posting, please ensure that you have read all relevant course documentation, including the syllabus, assessment/assignment instructions, faculty feedback, and other important information. Student Break Room This communication forum allows for casual conversation with your classmates. Communication on this forum should always maintain a standard of appropriateness and respect for your fellow classmates. This forum should NOT be used to share assessment answers. Grading Discussion Boards (8 @ 2%) = 16% Unit Assignments (7 @ 10%) = 70% Unit VIII Assignment = 14% Total = 100% Course Schedule/Checklist (PLEASE PRINT) The following pages contain a printable Course Schedule to assist you through this course. By following this schedule, you will be assured that you will complete the course within the time allotted. ITC 4313, IT Ethics and Professionalism 6
ITC 4313, IT Ethics and Professionalism Course Schedule By following this schedule, you will be assured that you will complete the course within the time allotted. Please keep this schedule for reference as you progress through your course. Unit I What is Ethics? Chapter 1: An Overview of Ethics Tuesday, Assignment by Tuesday, Unit II Ethics and Information Technology Chapter 2: Ethics for IT Workers and IT Users Tuesday, Assignment by Tuesday, Unit III Ethics and Criminal Activity on the Internet Chapter 3: Computer and Internet Crime Tuesday, Assignment by Tuesday, ITC 4313, IT Ethics and Professionalism 7
ITC 4313, IT Ethics and Professionalism Course Schedule Unit IV Privacy and Freedom of Expression 4 Chapter 4: Privacy Chapter 5: Freedom of Expression Tuesday, Assignment by Tuesday, Unit V Intellectual Property and Software Development Chapter 6: Intellectual Property Chapter 7: Software Development Tuesday, Assignment by Tuesday, Unit VI IT, Productivity, and Quality of Life Chapter 8: The Impact of Information Technology on Productivity and Quality of Life Tuesday, Assignment by Tuesday, ITC 4313, IT Ethics and Professionalism 8
ITC 4313, IT Ethics and Professionalism Course Schedule Unit VII Ethics and Social Networking Chapter 9: Social Networking Tuesday, Assignment by Tuesday, Unit VIII Codes of Ethics There is no reading assignment in this unit Tuesday, Assignment by Tuesday, ITC 4313, IT Ethics and Professionalism 9